Mortgage vs free-and-clear medians
- With mortgage
- $2,115/yr
- Without mortgage
- $1,524/yr
- Gap
- $591
Statewide · Property tax · ACS 2024
North Carolina Property Taxes
The average North Carolina homeowner pays $1,896 a year at an effective rate of 0.66%. That bill is 5% below the U.S. median bill. Compare 100 counties below.
- $1,896
- Avg median tax
- 0.66%
- Effective rate
- #36 of 51
- U.S. rank (burden)
- 100
- Counties
North Carolina homeowners pay a median of $1,896 a year in property tax, an effective rate of 0.66%, the 36th-highest burden of 51 U.S. jurisdictions (50 states and DC).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2024), the median North Carolina homeowner pays $1,896 a year on a home worth $288,900, an effective rate of 0.66%. The bill runs 5% below the $1,993 national median. County medians range $778 (Bertie County) to $4,162 (Orange County) across 100 counties.
What the statewide average misses
County medians in North Carolina run from $778 in Bertie County to $4,162 (Orange County). That range is why a statewide figure is a starting point, not a parcel-level estimate.
- $778–$4,162 (Orange County)
- County median-bill range
- 0.68%
- Home-weighted county rate
- 38%
- Homes in the eight largest counties
County medians come from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024. The statewide effective rate in the hero is median tax divided by median home value.
Collector rank · FY2024
North Carolina is a top-tier collector of U.S. state-and-local property tax
#15 of 51 · 1.8% of U.S. collections
In Census FY2024, North Carolina's state and local governments collected $13.3B in property tax - 1.8% of the U.S. total (#15 of 51).
Spread across 2,853,493 owner-occupied homes, that haul is about $4,661 per home - 2.5× the ACS median homeowner bill of $1,896. The gap is expected: LF0009 covers all taxable property (including commercial and other non-household parcels), while the ACS median is a household figure.
- Connecticut at 1.73% U.S. share (nearly level)
- Maryland at 1.71% U.S. share (nearly level)
- Colorado at 1.97% U.S. share (nearly level)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, FY2024, series LF0009 (property tax), government level State and Local (GOVTYPE 001). Amounts are published in thousands of dollars. This is a government-revenue series, not tax, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for the ACS homeowner median bill above.
ACS tenure & reporting signals · 2024
Mortgage tenure and zero-tax reporting in North Carolina
These sub-topics sit on dedicated research and guide pages fleet-wide; here they are computed for North Carolina from the same ACS tables that power county medians above.
Owners reporting no tax
- All owner-occupied
- 4.1%
- With mortgage
- 1.9%
- Sample (owned homes)
- 1,104,703
ACS reports what households paid, not approved exemptions. Exemption guide
County effective-rate spread
Published medians span 0.34% in Jackson County to 1.15% in Halifax County - a 0.81 percentage-point gap across 100 counties.
Appeal guide for when a parcel sits above its county median.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024), Table B25087 (mortgage status medians) and county tax_distribution aggregates (zero-tax reporting shares). Informational only, not tax or legal advice.
The average median property tax in North Carolina is $1,896/year, which is 5% below the national average of $1,993. The average effective tax rate is 0.66% on a median home value of $288,900. Taxes range from $778 in Bertie County to $4,162 (Orange County).
Read the state signal first
What the data changes in North Carolina
A rate compares places with different home values. The annual bill shows a typical dollar amount. County spread shows why neither is a parcel estimate.
The clearest local difference
County bills span a wide range
Across 100 measured counties, the published median runs from $778 in Bertie County to $4,162 (Orange County). Local school levies, county bonds, municipal overlays, and assessment practice create this within-state spread.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures describe median homeowner households reported to the Census Bureau. Individual bills can differ with assessed value, exemptions, special districts, and local overlays. Confirm current rates with your county assessor or a qualified professional before making a decision.
State Average vs National Average
Median Annual Tax
$1,896
-5% vs US avg
Median Home Value
$288,900
+27% vs US avg
Effective Tax Rate
0.66%
-28% vs US avg
Rate-band peers near North Carolina
Nearest ACS 2024 jurisdictions by effective rate (not geography). Each row names another state so North Carolina's 0.66% rate is read against real neighbors such as California and New Mexico.
| Peer state | Effective rate | Vs North Carolina | Median bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Also open California for county spread | 0.70% | California nearly matches North Carolina | $5,124 |
| New Mexico Also open New Mexico for county spread | 0.70% | New Mexico nearly matches North Carolina | $1,731 |
| Mississippi Also open Mississippi for county spread | 0.72% | Mississippi runs 0.06 pts above North Carolina | $1,215 |
| Montana Also open Montana for county spread | 0.72% | Montana runs 0.06 pts above North Carolina | $2,693 |
| Virginia Also open Virginia for county spread | 0.73% | Virginia runs 0.07 pts above North Carolina | $2,790 |
| District of Columbia Also open District of Columbia for county spread | 0.58% | District of Columbia runs 0.08 pts below North Carolina | $4,312 |
Nationwide states with similar effective rate & median bill
Two PlainPropertyTax-derived comparison paths for North Carolina, excluding North Carolina itself so the link neighborhoods are not self-referential. Median-bill peers exclude the effective-rate peer set so the two axes stay disjoint.
Similar effective rate
Nearest other states by ACS effective rate. North Carolina: 0.66%.
Similar median bill
Nearest other states by ACS median annual tax. North Carolina: $1,896/yr. Rate peers are excluded so the two link sets stay distinct.
Where North Carolina sits among U.S. jurisdictions
Effective property tax rate (median tax ÷ median home value) across the 50 states and DC, ACS 2024.
Where North Carolina sits among U.S. jurisdictions
Effective rate · ACS 2024 · 50 states and DC
0.66% Among the more affordable rates more affordable than 69% of 51 U.S. jurisdictions
Show national distribution
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more U.S. jurisdictions. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024
North Carolina has a higher effective property tax rate than 30% of U.S. jurisdictions (the 50 states and DC), ranking #36 of 51 for property tax burden. Rate neighbors: California (0.70%, nearly level); New Mexico (0.70%, nearly level); Mississippi (0.72%, 0.06 pts higher than North Carolina).
What North Carolina's biggest counties actually charge
Effective rate in the eight North Carolina counties holding the most owner-occupied homes, ordered largest first (highlighted) and together holding 38% of the state's. ACS 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024). Counties ordered by owner-occupied housing units (B25003_002E), not by resident population.
North Carolina's median county rate is 0.66%, but that figure counts every county equally. Weight each county by how many owner-occupied homes it actually holds and the rate a typical North Carolina homeowner faces is 0.68%, close to the plain median, so North Carolina's larger counties are not unusual for the state.
Top 5 Lowest Tax Counties
Top 5 Highest Tax Counties
Tax Affordability Score
8.7
Very Affordable
Based on the average effective tax rate of 0.66% compared to the national average of 0.92%. North Carolina has below-average property tax rates, making it a more affordable state for homeowners.
Very Expensive Very Affordable
How this score is calculated: a 1-10 scale from North Carolina's 0.66% vs the national 0.92% - read beside California and New Mexico before treating the score as band-typical. A ratio at or below 0.5× scores 10, at or above 2.0× scores 1, linear between. Census figures only, not a recommendation or endorsement.
Counties in North Carolina by tax bill
Ranked from highest median annual bill downward , showing the top 80 of 100 measured counties so the page stays crawlable. Gold/silver/bronze mark the top three list positions; effective rate is the focal comparison when home values differ.
| # | County | Median tax | Eff. rate | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orange County | $4,162 | 0.91% | $459,500 |
| 2 | Wake County | $3,260 | 0.71% | $461,300 |
| 3 | Durham County | $3,092 | 0.79% | $389,400 |
| 4 | Mecklenburg County | $2,890 | 0.71% | $406,800 |
| 5 | Chatham County | $2,847 | 0.64% | $446,200 |
| 6 | Cabarrus County | $2,586 | 0.73% | $354,800 |
| 7 | Union County | $2,396 | 0.57% | $417,300 |
| 8 | Dare County | $2,391 | 0.52% | $460,400 |
| 9 | Buncombe County | $2,222 | 0.57% | $391,800 |
| 10 | Guilford County | $2,174 | 0.84% | $259,900 |
| 11 | New Hanover County | $2,105 | 0.54% | $387,800 |
| 12 | Forsyth County | $1,984 | 0.79% | $250,400 |
| 13 | Gaston County | $1,982 | 0.75% | $266,000 |
| 14 | Camden County | $1,952 | 0.58% | $337,100 |
| 15 | Iredell County | $1,952 | 0.61% | $321,400 |
| 16 | Johnston County | $1,908 | 0.62% | $305,600 |
| 17 | Brunswick County | $1,890 | 0.54% | $349,800 |
| 18 | Pender County | $1,883 | 0.63% | $299,000 |
| 19 | Lincoln County | $1,856 | 0.58% | $321,000 |
| 20 | Cumberland County | $1,850 | 0.93% | $199,200 |
| 21 | Moore County | $1,849 | 0.53% | $351,400 |
| 22 | Franklin County | $1,834 | 0.65% | $284,300 |
| 23 | Henderson County | $1,810 | 0.52% | $351,400 |
| 24 | Lee County | $1,785 | 0.74% | $240,200 |
| 25 | Currituck County | $1,760 | 0.46% | $378,800 |
| 26 | Pitt County | $1,734 | 0.83% | $208,900 |
| 27 | Polk County | $1,697 | 0.54% | $315,000 |
| 28 | Harnett County | $1,689 | 0.69% | $246,200 |
| 29 | Chowan County | $1,677 | 0.71% | $235,800 |
| 30 | Transylvania County | $1,674 | 0.45% | $373,600 |
| 31 | Granville County | $1,664 | 0.67% | $247,700 |
| 32 | Davie County | $1,595 | 0.63% | $253,900 |
| 33 | Haywood County | $1,583 | 0.57% | $279,200 |
| 34 | Pasquotank County | $1,573 | 0.67% | $234,600 |
| 35 | Rowan County | $1,554 | 0.65% | $238,400 |
| 36 | Onslow County | $1,502 | 0.64% | $236,400 |
| 37 | Alamance County | $1,494 | 0.62% | $241,500 |
| 38 | Wilson County | $1,471 | 0.79% | $186,000 |
| 39 | Hoke County | $1,465 | 0.67% | $219,300 |
| 40 | Craven County | $1,450 | 0.63% | $231,600 |
| 41 | Carteret County | $1,423 | 0.43% | $333,300 |
| 42 | Catawba County | $1,407 | 0.58% | $241,600 |
| 43 | Watauga County | $1,386 | 0.39% | $358,900 |
| 44 | Stanly County | $1,385 | 0.57% | $242,400 |
| 45 | Perquimans County | $1,375 | 0.59% | $231,700 |
| 46 | Madison County | $1,362 | 0.48% | $284,600 |
| 47 | Nash County | $1,362 | 0.71% | $191,000 |
| 48 | Tyrrell County | $1,331 | 0.81% | $164,500 |
| 49 | Person County | $1,328 | 0.62% | $213,900 |
| 50 | Randolph County | $1,324 | 0.67% | $197,100 |
| 51 | Davidson County | $1,320 | 0.60% | $219,100 |
| 52 | Edgecombe County | $1,306 | 1.04% | $125,100 |
| 53 | Beaufort County | $1,300 | 0.67% | $192,700 |
| 54 | Gates County | $1,296 | 0.76% | $170,800 |
| 55 | Cleveland County | $1,286 | 0.64% | $200,000 |
| 56 | Alexander County | $1,269 | 0.60% | $211,800 |
| 57 | Rockingham County | $1,258 | 0.75% | $168,600 |
| 58 | Vance County | $1,256 | 0.78% | $161,500 |
| 59 | Burke County | $1,253 | 0.68% | $185,400 |
| 60 | Washington County | $1,252 | 0.99% | $125,900 |
| 61 | Wayne County | $1,249 | 0.70% | $178,700 |
| 62 | Northampton County | $1,239 | 1.08% | $114,500 |
| 63 | Bladen County | $1,227 | 0.91% | $135,100 |
| 64 | Yadkin County | $1,220 | 0.67% | $181,200 |
| 65 | Pamlico County | $1,218 | 0.56% | $216,800 |
| 66 | Alleghany County | $1,217 | 0.57% | $214,800 |
| 67 | Halifax County | $1,216 | 1.15% | $106,200 |
| 68 | Ashe County | $1,190 | 0.49% | $243,100 |
| 69 | Clay County | $1,186 | 0.43% | $278,400 |
| 70 | Stokes County | $1,179 | 0.60% | $196,700 |
| 71 | Rutherford County | $1,178 | 0.58% | $201,800 |
| 72 | Hertford County | $1,168 | 0.98% | $119,200 |
| 73 | Martin County | $1,168 | 1.06% | $109,700 |
| 74 | Yancey County | $1,157 | 0.48% | $243,100 |
| 75 | Caldwell County | $1,150 | 0.60% | $192,200 |
| 76 | Anson County | $1,141 | 0.77% | $148,600 |
| 77 | Mitchell County | $1,141 | 0.52% | $220,100 |
| 78 | Caswell County | $1,140 | 0.69% | $164,500 |
| 79 | Richmond County | $1,138 | 0.89% | $127,800 |
| 80 | Sampson County | $1,130 | 0.75% | $150,700 |
20 additional North Carolina counties rank below this top-80 list in the same bill order. Open any county from the county directory or the North Carolina calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which county in North Carolina has the lowest property taxes? ▼
Bertie County has the lowest median property tax in North Carolina at $778 per year with an effective rate of 0.79%. The highest is Orange County at $4,162.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average? ▼
North Carolina property taxes are 5% below the national average. Homeowners here pay a median of $1,896 per year compared to $1,993 nationally.
How large is North Carolina's share of U.S. property-tax collections? ▼
In Census FY2024, North Carolina's state and local governments collected $13.3B in property tax - 1.8% of the U.S. total (#15 of 51). Spread across 2,853,493 owner-occupied homes, that haul is about $4,661 per home - 2.5× the ACS median homeowner bill of $1,896. The gap is expected: LF0009 covers all taxable property (including commercial and other non-household parcels), while the ACS median is a household figure.
What is the median home value in North Carolina? ▼
The median home value across North Carolina is $288,900, compared to $227,791 nationally. Home values directly impact property tax bills since taxes are assessed as a percentage of property value.
Do homeowners with a mortgage pay more property tax in North Carolina? ▼
ACS 2024 medians show mortgaged owners pay $2,115/yr versus $1,524 for owners without a mortgage, a $591 gap. Our mortgage-gap research page ranks this spread against all states.
What share of North Carolina owners report paying no property tax? ▼
4.1% of owner-occupied homes in North Carolina report zero property tax on the ACS survey (1.9% among mortgaged owners). That is a reporting signal, exemptions, caps, or non-levying jurisdictions, not an exemption headcount.
What is the average property tax in North Carolina? ▼
The average median property tax paid in North Carolina is $1,896 per year, based on ACS 2024 data. The average effective tax rate is 0.66%.
How are property taxes calculated? ▼
Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of a property by the local tax rate (mill rate). Rates vary by county, city, and school district. The effective tax rate shown here is the median tax paid divided by the median home value, which provides a standardized comparison across counties.
Can I appeal my property taxes in North Carolina? ▼
Yes. Every North Carolina homeowner has the right to appeal their property tax assessment. The process typically starts at your county assessor's office within 30-90 days of receiving your assessment notice. You can challenge the assessed value by providing comparable sales data, evidence of property condition, or errors in the assessment. See our guide on how to appeal property taxes for detailed steps.
What to do with North Carolina's numbers
Turn the ACS 2024 statewide medians into a county check, an estimate, or an appeal path.
- North Carolina's ACS 2024 median bill is $1,896/yr at 0.66% (5% below the U.S. median). Open any county below to see how far local bills sit from that statewide figure. County list
- Inside North Carolina, Bertie County posts the lowest median bill at $778/yr; Orange County is highest at $4,162/yr. Open Bertie County
- Estimate a parcel bill at North Carolina's published effective rate, or read the state's assessment and appeal path before treating the statewide median as your budget. State estimator
Statewide medians average across 100 counties; your parcel's assessed value, exemptions, and local levies set the real bill. U.S. Census Bureau ACS · 2024.
Editorial standards and provenance
PlainPropertyTax is rendered directly from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on the Census ACS state-level record for North Carolina. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-08-09.